This is a very simple technique that will enable you to sew simple dresses and tops, little girls dresses, etc. Here’s an example of a very simple dress featured in the July issue of BurdaStyle:To create the elastic shirring you’ll need special purpose elastic thread found on every notions store. The usual colors are black and white, but I believe there are more in the market. The thread should be winded BY HAND with slight tension on the thread.The Machine is then threaded with elastic thread in the bobbin and regular sewing thread in the needle. I altered the tension setting of the needle thread, loosening it by half the regular tension used for stitching. I also set the stitch length to a larger stitch. You can draw some chalk parallel lines to guide your stitching if you like. Then stitch normally with the RIGHT SIDE OF THE FABRIC FACING UP. After sewing the first stitching line you must stretch the previous shirring as you sew the following rows, it’s quite easy and straight forward. The wrong side (where the elastic thread will be visible) looks like this:And the right side:As for the remaining construction process, the only “dificulty” will be setting in the invisible zipper (The Portuguese Project Runaway – Projecto Moda – starred this week and one of the contestants didn’t know how to properly sew an invisible zipper, go figure). I’ve covered this matter several times but I will address it once more. The commonly used method involves the use of a special purpose zipper foot; I found a tutorial online that features great pictures, click here.The method that works best for me is explained by Sewing Diva Els in this excellent illustrated tutorial, as I mentioned several times. It doesn’t require the use of a special purpose foot, a regular zipper foot is used to sew in the invisible zipper.

Finally, a quick note addressing the seam finishing; for this project I used my serger for finishing raw edges, but if you don’t own one you can either pink the seam allowances or finish them with a narrow zigzag stitch. Don’t ever disregard the “press as you sew” rule, otherwise you’ll get puckered seams.

I will try to publish the final review by tomorrow and pictures of the jumpsuit on the dressform. I have pictures of me wearing the jumpsuit but those will be published on Tany et La Mode instead. Thanks so much for dropping by!

ETA: Cindy just commented with another useful tip: steam the elastic after you shirr to give it a finished look (thanks Cindy!)

Thanks for the shirring tutorial Tany!!! I've seen others but your is pretty straight forward. Can't wait to see the finished product. Also, I must have forgot to sign up for your Tany et La Mode site. Sorry. Is it too late?